MANUAL ON ELIGIBILITY OF EXPENDITURE Operational Programme Slovenia-Croatia 2007-2013

MANUAL ON ELIGIBILITY OF
EXPENDITURE
Operational Programme Slovenia-Croatia 2007-2013
Version 4.0
JANUARY 2014
TABLE OF CONTENT
1. GENERAL ................................................................................................................................. 3
2. ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURES PER COST CATEGORIES................................................................... 4
2.1 PERSONNEL COSTS ............................................................................................................... 4
2.1.1 General principles ...................................................................................................................... 4
2.1.2 Specific rules .............................................................................................................................. 5
2.2 EXTERNAL SERVICE COSTS .................................................................................................... 8
2.2.1 General principles ...................................................................................................................... 9
2.3 INVESTMENT COSTS ........................................................................................................... 10
2.3.1 Investment in Equipment......................................................................................................... 10
2.3.1.1 Depreciation.......................................................................................................................... 12
2.3.2 Construction works .................................................................................................................. 13
2.3.3 Purchase of land...................................................................................................................... 13
2.4 ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS .................................................................................................... 14
2.4.1 Direct administrative costs ...................................................................................................... 15
2.4.2 Indirect administrative costs.................................................................................................... 15
2.4.3 Other costs eligible under administrative costs ...................................................................... 16
3. OTHER REQUIREMENTS REGARDING THE ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURES ................................... 17
3.1 REVENUES / RECEIPTS ........................................................................................................ 17
3.2 VAT ..................................................................................................................................... 18
3.3 PUBLIC PROCUREMENT ...................................................................................................... 19
3.4 INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY RULES ............................................................................... 20
3.5 STATE AID ........................................................................................................................... 21
4. INDICATIVE LIST OF INELIGIBLE EXPENDITURE .................................................................... 21
5. ANNEXES ............................................................................................................................... 23
5.1 MONTHLY REPORT ............................................................................................................. 24
5.2 TIME RECORD ..................................................................................................................... 27
2
1. GENERAL
The present paper shall provide guidance for Lead partners/Project partners (LP/PP)
requesting IPA/ERDF co-funding and for national controllers as regards the funding
conditions in the Operational Programme Slovenia-Croatia 2007-2013 (OP SI-HR).
Should there be a question related to the eligibility of expenditures that is not addressed by
this paper, it should be discussed with the designated national controllers or the Joint
Technical Secretariat (JTS).
The expenditures claimed must not be financed out of any other Community or public funds.
Furthermore, all expenditures – independent from the respective cost category – have to be
in line with national/regional and EU rules and shall have a legal basis (contract etc.).
All expenditures claimed have to be:
• Traceable from the approved Application form, all submitted supplements to the
Application form and all approved changes;
• Arisen during the operation duration (as determined in the Subsidy contract);
• Occurred on the level of and paid by the respective project partner (as defined in the
Subsidy contract)1;
• Directly linked to the operation, have to be necessary for operation implementation and
are in line with the operation objectives;
• In compliance with the principles of efficiency, economy and expediency of all
allocations.
• Actually paid2 (proof of payment) and definite (entered into book of accounts without
the possibility of countermand and/or recovery);
• Entered into operation accounting records for the claimed period by each project
partner;
• Proven by the original invoices or other accounting documents of equivalent probative
value3 in line with regulations in force.
• Placed under the determined cost category4 as described in this document and planned
in the financial plan of the approved operation;
A sufficient audit trail must be secured.
1
Expenditures based on invoices (or accounting documents having a probative value equivalent to invoices) that are not
addressed to the relevant project partner, respectively expenditures based on payments that have not been initiated by
the respected project partner itself and costs that are not finally borne by the respected project partner itself are not
eligible.
2
The execution of payment has to be verified by the designated national controller without any exceptions.
3
In Slovenia all the accounting documents have to be marked with the note, that the relevant document relates to the
Operational Programme Slovenia-Croatia 2007-2013 and must have a separate accounting code. In Croatia Local
governments and their units are not obliged to open additional bank account. All other users must have separate
accounting code.
4 Each expenditure has to be placed under one of the determined cost category in ISARR.
3
The preconditions for eligibility defined in the EU regulations and the OP SI-HR as well as any
national/regional eligibility rules stricter than those defined in the following remain
unaffected.
In Commission Regulation (EC) No 718/2007 and its amendments, Art. 89 and 34
Commission rules on eligibility of expenditure can be found.
Please note that this list may not be exhaustive.
Other important documents:
• Operational Programme Slovenia-Croatia 2007-2013 and
• Practical Implementation Manual (PIM).
2. ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURES PER COST CATEGORIES
The following cost categories have been established for the OP SI-HR:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Personnel costs
External service costs
Investment costs
Administrative costs (general costs)
2.1 PERSONNEL COSTS
Personnel costs are expenditure for:
•
•
Staff: Labour costs (salaries) of personnel employed by the Lead Partner (LP)/Project
Partner (PP) and assigned to the operation,
Travel and accommodation of personnel employed by the Lead Partner (LP)/Project
Partner (PP) and assigned to the operation.
Personnel is understood as project team members who have concluded a contract on
regular working relation with the LP/PP organisation. This cost category therefore can only
refer to employees within the LP/PP organisations who are engaged in the operation.
Personnel costs of public employees are not eligible, if they arise from the statutory
responsibilities of the public authority or the authority’s day-to-day management,
monitoring and control tasks (e.g. operation generation as task of a unit in a public
administration according to the statuses of the organisation).
2.1.1 General principles
Operation related personnel costs including social contributions incurred in LP/PP
organisations are eligible under the following provisions:
4
•
•
•
They are traceable from the approved Application form, all submitted supplements to
the Application form and all approved changes ;
They are based on and supported by employment agreements. Payments or services
with monetary value, which are given or paid to the employee without a legal
commitment (e.g. ad hoc allowances, bonuses), are not eligible;
They are documented.
Eligible are therefore gross salaries (including social contributions, related taxes, labour
contributions that are actually chargeable) and other remunerations5 for the employees if
they have a formal legal basis as well as costs arising from operation related travels.
Only real costs (i.e. actually paid out) can be taken into consideration – based on payslips or
other documentation of similar status.
Furthermore, it has to be highlighted that the total amount of personnel costs has to be
proportional to the qualification of the human resources involved and the amount of work
dedicated to the operation.
2.1.2 Specific rules
There are two possibilities on how public employees (e.g. university employees, civil
servants) can be involved in the implementation of an operation:
a) They work during the regular employment status and working time
In this case the public employer has to be the LP/PP, who shall assign the employee
officially to the operation and can then ask for a co-funding of the salary (based on the
corresponding time-sheets).
b) They work outside the regular working time for the public employer that is also
acting as a project partner
In this case a proper legal basis is to be ensured, the work is to be performed clearly
outside the regular working time (e.g. weekend or holidays) the remuneration for the
sideline job is to be paid by the public employer that can then request the IPA/ERDF
funds – these costs are to be considered as “personnel costs” and therefore have to
follow the rules as set out in this section, especially as regards the amount of
compensation (e.g. civil servant that moderates outside the regular working time a
workshop that is organised by its public employer).
Expenditure for salaries of public employees working on a project, who are employed at
organisations which are financed from the national, regional or municipal budget, is eligible
5
The remuneration of personnel is eligible in case it is related to the operation activities and not related to their usual dayto-day management tasks and statutory responsibilities. There must not be any double funding.
5
provided that the following is evident in their employment contract or other relevant
document:
-
The role and tasks as well as the extent of work on the operation,
The period of the engagement,
Clause that the project work is not financed from any other public funds (no double
funding).
Expenditure for daily meals and travel to work is eligible in accordance with provisions of the
relevant national legislation.
Staff costs (salaries)
a) Staff costs related to already contracted personnel
If a person is full-time employed on the operation, the total expenditure is eligible. In such
cases a report on the work accomplished shall be prepared monthly by each person (see
Annex 1).
b) Staff costs related to part-time employment/assignment on the operation
In case of a part-time assignment of the employed personnel to the operation, work
performed should be reported in detail by the use of time-records stating name, operation
concerned, date/time and activity (see Annex 2). The time-records must be signed by the
individual person proving to have spent the hours working on the operation and by his/her
manager or any other person in charge. By signing the time-records, the manager also
certifies the additionally of the operation assignment and that the activities specified on the
time-records are not being double financed.
Hourly rates should be calculated according to the following model:
Gross salary for the relevant year in Euro
Yearly hourly rate = ------------------------------------------------------the official working hours
or
Gross salary for the relevant year in Euro
Monthly hourly rate = ------------------------------------------------------the official working hours
The calculation is based on a weekly 40-hour engagement. In case a person is engaged for
less than 40 hours a week, the calculation has to be adapted accordingly.
It is also allowed to calculate the salary based on actual expenditure.
6
Whereas:
Gross salary = Net salary of employee + related taxes of employee and employer + related
contributions of an employee and employer.
It needs to be emphasised that working hours cannot exceed the limit defined in national
legislation.
Travel and accommodation costs for staff
Reimbursement of travel and daily allowance can be claimed from the operation only for the
personnel employed by the LP/PP and in line with regulations in force. Generally, public
employees shall follow the regulation of their organisation, whereas private LP/PP shall
follow the regulation of the public organisation providing the national public co-financing.
Unless this is regulated in the above-mentioned organisations, the following specific rules
shall be applied. All deviations have to be well justified:
• The most economic way of transport has to be used. Exceptions from this principle must
be duly justified.
• Accommodation costs can be accepted without reservation if they are in the middle
price range. Higher price ranges (more than 140 EUR/night) must be duly justified.
• Operation meetings shall take place in the programme area. Travel expenses outside the
programme area6 are considered as eligible if they are traceable from the approved
application form or otherwise approved in advance by the JTS/MA.
• Daily allowances7 are eligible as long as the allowance is actually paid by the partner to
the employee and this is in line with the national conditions set for this partner. The
travel time claimed for the per diem payment must be grounded in facts (e.g. duration
of event) and must match the travel documentation (e.g. flight times).
• Airfare is eligible from a distance of 400 km and under the condition of an economy class
ticket. Below a distance of 400 km it is eligible if it is the cheapest means of transport.
• The use of private cars8 or company cars is only allowed if it is the most economic means
of transport or if it is considerably saving time. Only the tax-based mileage allowance
can be accepted.
Documentation
The travel and accommodation costs are eligible only if they are properly documented and
evidenced:
6
For travel outside the programme area to be regarded as eligible, it must be shown that the travel is of benefit to the
operation concerned and approved in advance by stating it in the Application form or by the prior approval of the JTS/MA.
7
Daily allowances for travel and accommodation are possible as long as the allowance is actually paid by the LP/PP to the
employee.
8
In case of using private car, the expenditure can amount up to the official national kilometre rate.
7
•
•
•
•
The travel and accommodation costs have to be proved by the individual invoice for
each individual person and each travel.
Each travel has to be supported by a correctly filled-in travel warrant, including all
attached invoices, i.e. evidence for incurred expenses (hotel invoice, travelling ticket,
boarding pass, etc.)
Purpose of each travel has to be justified and evidence of participation in the
event/activity provided (e.g. invitation, registration form, list of participants, attendance
certificate, photographs, etc.). The justification has to be clearly stated in the individual’s
monthly reports/time-records.
Copy of the proof of payment.
Travel and accommodation costs for external experts
Travel and accommodation costs for external experts have to be included in their contract.
Expenditure for transportation of external experts is to be included under “external costs”.
2.2 EXTERNAL SERVICE COSTS
This cost category includes the costs of services that are performed by the external
personnel within the operation and are related to the operation.
The external service costs are eligible only in case LP/PP does not have adequate capacity
and/or qualification to perform the tasks related to the project management (e.g. financial
management, coordination, administration, etc.) and to the following activities:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Expenditure for organising events (e.g. meetings, conferences, trainings, workshops
and seminars) directly related to the operation objective; expenditure may include
rent of premises and equipment, travel and accommodation costs, translation and
interpretation - if necessary, material/handouts, and catering expenses to a
reasonable extent);
Expenditure for studies, research, plans, training, etc.;
Expenditure for publicity and information, dissemination and promotion of project
results (e.g. publications, brochures, press releases, advertisements, newsletter,
websites, etc.);
Expenditure for transport of goods or participants;
Expenditure for translation of documents/material;
Rent of equipment is eligible expenditure if it is directly related to objectives of the
co-financed project.
Eligible financial and audit services:
• legal consultancy fees, notarial fees, tax counselling if directly related to the project
implementation;
• control and audit services if they relate to requirement of the MA ;
• fee for financial guarantees to the extent to which guarantees are required by
national or Community legislation.
8
2.2.1 General principles
Expenditure for external services (experts/consultants, supply of goods and services in
general) listed bellow is eligible under the following provisions:
-
-
-
Public procurement rules9 have to be respected; full documentation of the procurement
is obligatory (in case no documentation is provided, expenses shall not be considered as
eligible).
The work of the external service is essential for the operation.
Comparison of costs and economic efficiency are central objectives, meaning that rates
charged by the external services are reasonable. Daily rates over 800 EUR must be clearly
justified to be considered eligible.
Rates are in relation to level of experience and expertise.
LP/PP cannot be contracted as a supplier (contractor or sub-contractor that provides
services and products against payment).
Sub-contracting by external experts is not eligible.
If external experts are hired, a legal basis is mandatory (a clear contract based on the
specification of services and related to the operation has to be set up).
For “catering” the following rules shall apply:
• The related events have to be traceable from the approved application form;
• Documentation of the participants shall be provided (attendance list);
• Catering expenses for internal working meetings among project partners are not eligible;
• Dinner receptions are allowed only in exceptional cases for external events (event shall
be traceable from the application form);
• Specific detailed rules on national level have to be respected.
The LP/PP cannot act as a supplier (contractor or sub-contractor that provides services and
products against payment). Neither the LP/PP employees nor the LP/PP organisations can
act or get paid as external experts for the work done in the operation.
Expenditure for sub-contracted service is not eligible if payment is defined as a percentage
of total project costs or individual activities unless such payment is justified by the LP/PP in
terms of actual value of completed work or services.
The following has to be observed for the expenditure to be eligible:
Expenditure for external services comprises staff expenditure of individuals engaged in a
project on the basis of any other contract but the contract on regular employment
concluded with the LP/PP. All taxes and contributions which in conformity with legislation on
individual types of work are actually chargeable to the LP/PP (with the exception of
recoverable VAT, if applicable) are eligible for reimbursement.
In order to meet the conditions of truthfulness, correctness, efficiency and effectiveness, the
LP/PP will submit the following evidence for externally engaged individuals or organisations:
9
See also chapter 3.3 on public procurement.
9
-
-
evidence in relation to procedure for selection of an individual or organisation (public
procurement or received comparison offers) - only required once at the time of the
relevant application for reimbursement,
copy of the contract (only required once at the time of the relevant application for
reimbursement),
records of completed work, if applicable,
invoice or other accounting document of equivalent probative value,
proof of payment.
The LP/PP must keep and on request submit all supporting documents and/or outputs
proving the implementation and the scope of service delivered according to the contract. For
example an invitation, a programme, a presence list, material samples given to participants,
photographs, brochures, publications, newsletters, studies, analyses, etc.
2.3 INVESTMENT COSTS
This category includes three types of costs:
• Purchase of equipment;
• Construction works;
• Purchase of land.
Investments are only eligible if they are listed in the Application form and are therefore
explicitly approved by the Monitoring Committee of the programme.
The national controllers are responsible to perform on-the-spot checks of investments for
their designated project partners.
2.3.1 Investment in Equipment
It is to be distinguished between different kinds of equipment:
1. Mobile equipment (movable – e.g. PC, furniture);
2. Immobile equipment (installed, fixed on a place);
Ordering, selection of the best tenderer and the purchase itself has to be carried out by the
LP/PP according to procedure defined by the relevant public procurement rules10.
Eligible expenditure for equipment includes payments for all the costs necessary to bring the
asset to working condition for the intended use:
• Purchase of equipment;
• Extra costs, related to the purchase of equipment (i.e. delivery, handling or installation).
The purchased equipment has to be clearly marked with the stickers/tables and the wording
as described in the Information and Publicity Guidelines for Beneficiaries (point 1.4)”.
10
See also chapter 3.3 on public procurement.
10
Furthermore, different rules apply for:
a) “Administrative” equipment (mostly related to project management tasks);
b) “Technical, content related” equipment (mostly related to the content part of the
operation implementation).
Generally, all equipment has to be strictly operation related. The full purchase price is only
eligible if the item is used solely for the operation during its total economic and depreciable
lifetime. In all other cases only depreciation costs shall be eligible.
If it is not exclusively used for project purposes, only a share of the actual cost can be
allocated pro-rata to the project. This share has to be calculated according to a fair, justified
and equitable method. This is for instance the case if the investment is used by staff working
part-time for the operation.
Example:
Example of calculation for computer A:
Potential eligible costs: 144
% of time dedicated to the project by the officer using the computer: 50%
Final Eligible cost: 72
Furthermore, the equipment must be essential for the delivery of the operation, used solely
for that purpose and purchased within the eligible operation period.
Please find below some special rules for the different kinds of equipment:
a) Administrative (supporting) equipment11:
This category includes the purchase of equipment, which is not directly connected with the
operation objectives and is not used only for the purpose of the operation. Example of such
expenditure would be the purchase of a PC. In this case the cost of depreciation for the time
of the project duration is eligible. The entire depreciation costs are eligible if the project
duration is the same or longer than the duration of depreciation12.
PC and costs related to line phones are considered as eligible (proportionally of employed
staff and computer equipment has to be ensured – e.g. not more PC than employees).
Laptops and mobile phones are only eligible in justified cases (necessity and efficiency).
b) Technical equipment:
This category includes expenditure for investment directly relating to the operation
objectives. In this case the expenditure for the whole purchase price could be eligible.
Specific “technical” equipment software, technical instruments, PC, mobile phones, laptops,
office furniture and printers are considered as eligible if they are content-related and
essential for achieving the operation results.
11
12
Equipment related to the pre-defined activities/work packages, project management and information & publicity.
See also chapter 2.3.1.1 on depreciation.
11
Documentation
The investment in equipment is eligible only in case it is properly documented and
evidenced:
• Original invoices or other documents of equivalent probative value;
• Proof of payment (bank statement);
• Documentation related to the public procurement procedures13;
• Evidence of accepting and installation of equipment
2.3.1.1 Depreciation
Depreciation costs are only eligible if the purchase itself has not already been co-financed by
any other EU or public funds. The depreciation costs of depreciable assets shall be directly
used for the operation concerned and incurred during the period of operation duration.
For equipment that will not be used by project partners or project target group after the
operation completion and if the economic lifetime of the equipment is longer than the
project duration, only the depreciation costs are eligible. In this case, the eligible
expenditure will be its depreciation costs during operation duration. The equipment must be
purchased for the purpose of the operation during its implementation. The depreciation rate
has to be in line with national or internal partners’ rules.
The cost of depreciation of equipment is eligible, provided that:
- The depreciation cost is calculated in accordance with the relevant accountancy
rules;
- The cost is mentioned in the balance sheet or in the list of fixed assets;
- Depreciation cost of equipment does not exceed the purchase price of the
equipment;
- The proportionate sum of the depreciation costs according to the use of equipment is
reported.
- Depreciation is charged proportionally in each Partner Progress Report. The full value
of depreciated costs on equipment in relation to the total operation duration cannot
be charged as total amount in one particular period.
- The amount (percentage used and time duration) is auditable.
For the calculation of depreciation, the following information is required:
• The cost and description of the purchased item;
• The purchasing date;
• The number of years over which the item is being depreciated;14
• The % of the item use devoted solely to the operation, over the life of the item.
13
14
See chapter 3.3 on public procurement.
In line with the national accounting legislation.
12
The invoice shall be submitted to and checked by the designated national controller and
shall be validated appropriately so to ensure that the depreciation costs are refunded only
once.
2.3.2 Construction works
Expenditure for construction works is eligible if it is directly related to the objectives of a cofinanced project. It can include payments of all activities related to the preparation and
implementation of construction works, including investment technical documentation.
Documentation related to procurement, contracts for construction works, invoice(s) with
specification(s) of performed activities and used material, final report and official
receipt/final statement (if foreseen by the contract), operation permit or take-over
certificate as well as proof of actual payment will have to be provided.
Documentation
The construction works are eligible only in case it is properly documented and evidenced:
- copy of investment documentation in line with Decree on the Uniform Methodology for the
Preparation and Treatment of Investment documentation in the Field of Public Finance for
Slovene partners
- copy of the authorisation to carry out works on certain property
- copy of a valid and legally effective construction permit
- copy of valid planning consent
- consent of land owners
2.3.3 Purchase of land
The purchase of land has to prove a direct relation to the operation objective. The purchase
of land is eligible under the following conditions:
a) A certificate of an independent qualified auditor or authorised body is acquired stating
the purchase price does not exceed the market value;
b) The purchase of land shall not exceed 10% of the total eligible expenditure of the
operation co-financed by this programme.
Documentation
The purchase of land is eligible only in case it is properly documented and evidenced:
• Purchase and sales agreement written in notary form (submitted with the request for
reimbursement);
• Proof of payment (bank statement);
• Approved land-register proposal;
• A certificate of an independent qualified auditor or authorised body is acquired, and the
purchase price does not exceed the market value.
13
Example: Calculation of eligible costs for land purchase
Beneficiary would like to claim following expenditure:
Total land costs
125.000 €
Other eligible operation costs
200.000 €
Total costs
325.000 €
Presumption:
The beneficiary would like to claim maximum eligible costs of the purchased land,
which is 10% of the total eligible operation costs.
Calculation example:
A = (b/c)*d
Or: A = (200000/0,9)*0,1=22.222,22
Whereby: A eligible costs of the land purchase
B other eligible operation costs
C share of the other eligible costs from the total eligible costs (90% which makes
0,9)
D share of the eligible costs of the land purchase (10% which makes 0,1)
Difference amounting to 102.778 € (125.000 € - 22.222 € = 102.778 €) is amount of
the ineligible costs of the land purchase.
2.4 ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS
This category distinguishes between two kinds of expenditures:
• Direct administrative costs: costs that can be attributed specifically (and in its full
amount) to the operation;
• Indirect administrative costs (»overheads«): costs that cannot be identified and
charged directly to the operation without an extensive amount of tracking and
accounting (e.g. electricity, rent and heating for offices that have not been installed for
the operation only and that are prorated to the operation according to the hours of
work dedicated to the operation).
The maximum limit for the administrative expenditure is 25% of those direct costs that can
affect the level of overheads of the operation.
For calculation and presenting the administrative costs, two options are possible:
•
If the PP claims reimbursement of administrative expenditure in the total amount not
exceeding 7% of those direct cost that can affect the level of overheads, the flat rate
method can be applied. Documents proving the administrative expenditure are kept
by the PP concerned and not forwarded with Partner Progress Reports.
14
•
In case the share of administrative expenditure of a PP is higher than 7% and lower
than 25% of those direct cost that can affect the level of overheads all expenditures
will have to be fully documented in each Partner Progress Report.
2.4.1 Direct administrative costs
Direct administrative costs are eligible if they are in line with the following general
principles:
• They are direct costs (attributed specifically to the operation);
• They have actually occurred and have been paid;
• They are justified by receipted invoices or accounting documents having a probative
equivalent value;
Examples of eligible direct administrative costs:
• Premises costs such as rent, heat, light, water and service charges related solely to the
operation concerned and corresponding to the square meter space used for operation
activities.
• Costs such as phone calls, postage, copying and office supplies related solely to the
operation concerned.
Documentation for direct administrative costs:
The direct administrative costs are eligible only in case they are properly documented and
evidenced:
•
Documentation on the selection of the Contractor (including on request all
documentation related to the awarding procedure showing adherence to the public
procurement rules);
Service order or contract;
Original invoices;
Copy of the proof of payment.
•
•
•
2.4.2 Indirect administrative costs
Indirect administrative costs are eligible if they are in line with the following general
principles:
•
•
•
It must be impossible to allocate the costs directly to the operation concerned;
Proportionally distributed indirect administrative costs must be attributable to the
implementation of the operation concerned;
The costs must be properly documented through accounting material and periodically
reviewed;
15
Examples of keys:
o The ratio “number of people working for the operation / number of people
working in the partner's organisation or department”;
o The ratio “number of hours performed on the operation / number of hours
performed in total in the organisation or department”;
o The ratio “square meter/surface used by the personnel working for the
operation / square meter/surface of the organisation's building or
department”.
Examples of eligible indirect administrative costs:
•
•
•
•
Accounting costs – if external (book-keeping, salary administration);
Office material and services (e.g. photocopying, mailing, telephone, fax, internet);
Rent of premises, maintenance, heat, water, electricity;
Accounting costs (if external);
Documentation for indirect administrative costs:
The indirect administrative costs are eligible only if they are properly documented and
evidenced:
• The calculation should be done on pro-rata basis of the actual costs according to a duly
justified, fair and equitable key of division that should remain the same during the whole
operation implementation.
• Original invoices;
• Copy of the proof of payment.
Costs already included in any other cost category directly attributed to the project cannot be
included in this category.
2.4.3 Other costs eligible under administrative costs
Other costs, which are eligible according to the general principles and regulations and
necessary for the implementation of the operation, should be placed under the category
administrative costs:
1. Charges for transnational financial transactions between PP;
2. Bank charges for opening and administering an account or accounts where the
implementation of an operation requires a separate account or accounts to be
opened;
3. Guarantee costs: the costs of guarantees provided by a bank or other financial
institution is eligible to the extent that the guarantees are required by national or
Community legislation;
Any other costs under financial charges that are not listed above (e.g. fines, financial
penalties, interests) are not eligible.
16
3. OTHER REQUIREMENTS REGARDING THE ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURES
3.1 REVENUES / RECEIPTS15
Revenue can be defined as payments made by users. Revenue can be generated either by
infrastructures or by any operation involving the sale or rent of land or buildings. Receipts
include money earned by an operation, during the period of its co-financing, from sales,
rentals, services, enrolment fees or other equivalent receipt.
According to the Community regulation the eligible expenditure of revenue/receiptsgenerating operations shall not exceed the costs reduced by the revenues. It is therefore to
be ensured that all revenues generated by the operations during operation implementation
but also those revenues that are generated within five years after the operation
implementation are deducted from the operation costs and therefore reducing the funding
accordingly.
Eligible expenditure shall be reduced with revenues/receipts generated by the operation.
The following is to be regarded as revenue/receipt:
•
•
Revenues/receipts generated by attendance fees (e.g. for workshops), advertisements,
sale revenues of books and brochures, lease, rentals, incomes, services and fees or other
similar activities;
Revenues in other form than money.
There are two options for taking revenues/receipts into account:
•
Revenues calculated in advance: In this case, the operation has to indicate a first
estimation of possible revenues within the application form and will have to report
them steadily through Partner Progress Reports. Furthermore, the amount of
generated revenues has to be monitored and validated by the national controllers.
•
Revenues not calculated in advance: In this case, all revenues generated within 5
years from operation completion shall be deducted from total expenditures. The
revenue has to be monitored only during this period.
Rules governing revenues/receipts do not apply to the projects subject to the State aid rules.
15
Please note, that revenue should not be mistaken for profit. In addition, revenues apply only to the projects, co-financed
within the first Call for Proposals.
17
3.2 VAT
For this type of expenditure please be aware that VAT is:
•
NOT ELIGIBLE FROM THE OPERATION (recovered). In this case the beneficiary is
identified as a taxable person and engages in activities for which he is entitled to VAT
recovery in whole.
•
ELIGIBLE FROM THE OPERATION (not recovered in whole or recovered partly). In this
case VAT is actually covered by the project partner. VAT as eligible expenditure has to be
planned within the operation and has to be taken into account in every request for
reimbursement.
a) VAT is eligible in whole:
• If the beneficiary is NOT identified as a taxable person.
• If the beneficiary is identified as a taxable person and engages in operation or
part of an operation as a non-taxable or/and tax exempted activity for which he
is not entitled to VAT deduction.
b) VAT is eligible in part:
• If the beneficiary is identified as a taxable person and engages in operation or
part of an operation as a non-taxable or/and tax exempted activity for which he
is not entitled to VAT deduction and as a taxable activity for which he is entitled
to VAT deduction.
In case the VAT is eligible (in whole or in part), the signed and stamped Statement on VAT
status (Annex 2) has to be presented with the first Partner Progress Report. In case VAT
status changes during the operation implementation, the new Statement on VAT status has
to be presented with the first following Partner Progress Report.
18
3.3 PUBLIC PROCUREMENT
Public procurement rules have to be observed and full documentation of the procurement is
obligatory for expenditure to be regarded as eligible.
In general, Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March
2004 on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public
supply contracts and public service contracts shall be respected: it includes means to respect
equal treatment between candidates, to ensure a sufficient publicity and to use appropriate
award and selection criteria.
Public procurement rules have to be applied by organizations either public or bodies
governed by public law. In any case public procurement rules are to be followed strictly in
order to make all contracting of services as well as purchasing of material and equipment
eligible. These rules apply also to entities established by private law acting as final
beneficiaries in the project since they have been granted public funds.
For this programme all beneficiaries shall follow for the award of service, supply and work
contracts, the procurement procedures the provisions of Chapter 3 of Part 2, Title IV of
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 and Chapter 3 of Part 2, Title III of Regulation (EC,
Euratom) No 2342/2002, as well as Commission Decision C (2007) 2034 on the rules and
procedures applicable to service, supply and work contracts financed by the general budget
of the European Communities for the purposes of cooperation with third countries, with the
exclusion of the Section II.8.2.
All supplies and materials purchased must originate from the Community or an IPA
beneficiary country or a country that is a beneficiary of the European Neighborhood and
Partnership Instrument, or a Member State of the European Economic Area (Article 19 of the
Council Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006 and its amendments). The term ‘origin’ is defined in
the relevant Community legislation on rules of origin for customs purposes.
The standard contracts and operational instructions are annexed to the "Practical Guide to
contract procedures for EC external actions", published in Commission Decision C(2007)
2034.
"Practical Guide to contract procedures for EC external actions" is defining the thresholds
and the related procedures, as presented in the table 1. For detailed information please see
the Practical Guide to contract procedures for EC external actions and Guidelines for
Eligibility for Slovenian and Croatian partners.
19
Table 1: Financial thresholds and the related procedures
SERVICES
≤ 20.000 EUR
Single tender
SUPPLIES
≤ 20.000 EUR
Single tender
WORKS
≤ 20.000 EUR
Single tender
> 20.000 EUR < 300.000 EUR
Framework contracts or
Competitive negotiated procedure
> 20.000 EUR <
100.000 EUR
Competitive
negotiated
procedure or
framework contract
> 20.000 EUR <
300.000 EUR
Competitive
negotiated
procedure
> 100.000 EUR <
300.000 EUR
Local open tender
procedure or
framework contract
> 300.000 EUR <
5.000.000 EUR
Local open tender
procedure
≥ 300.000 EUR
International
restricted tender
procedure
≥ 300.000 EUR
International open
tender procedure
≥ 5.000.000 EUR
International open
tender procedure,
International
restricted tender
procedure
Documentation for public procurement procedures:
For documentation to be presented by the project partner for Public procurement awards
see:
• for services the section 3 of the Practical Guide to contract procedures for EC external
actions;
• for supplies section 4 of the Practical Guide to contract procedures for EC external
actions and
• for works section 5 of the Practical Guide to contract procedures for EC external actions
together with the section's corresponding annexes.
National Controllers and MA/JTS can at any time check all documentation connected with
the public procurement procedure while performing on-the-spot checks.
3.4 INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY RULES
The costs for information and publicity are eligible. Detailed programme rules regarding this
topic are covered in the Information and publicity guidelines for beneficiaries (available on
www.si-hr.eu).
Expenditure under this heading may include the following costs:
a) Costs related to all aspects of promotion and publications specific to the operation
b) Costs related to organising and participating in seminars/conferences and meetings
20
a) Costs related to all aspects of promotion and publications specific to the operation
Examples of these costs:
• Costs for producing or upgrading the web page;
• Costs related to design and production of marketing materials, brochures and
publications;
• Costs related to targeted advertising campaigns (e.g. adds, media announcements)
b) Costs related to organising and participating in seminars/conferences and meetings
Examples of these costs:
• Organisation costs (e.g. rent for meeting premises);
• Meals/catering16;
• General transportation,
• Conference fees.
Documentation:
• Documents related to public procurement procedures;
• Contract or purchase order;
• Invoice or other document of equivalent probative value;
• Proof of payment (bank statement);
• Other documentation justifying the eligibility, such as printed material, brochure, book,
media article etc.
3.5 STATE AID
If the support to operation or its parts could mean State aid, beneficiaries have to respect
relevant legislation in force and instructions of the responsible body when preparing reports.
4. INDICATIVE LIST OF INELIGIBLE EXPENDITURE
The following list provides an overview on some ineligible expenses. Please keep in mind
that this list is not exhaustive. Expenses not listed are therefore NOT automatically to be
considered as eligible.
According to Article 34(3) and Article 89(2) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 718/2007 and
its amendments the following costs shall not be eligible:
(a) taxes, including value added taxes;
(b) customs and import duties, or any other charges;
16
Please note that meals/catering should be of a moderate nature and according to normal standards in each partner
country. Excessive entertainment is not to be regarded as eligible expenditure. All meals/catering must be supported by a
list of participants and a statement outlining the purpose of the occasion.
21
(c) purchase of land if exceeding 10 % of the total eligible expenditure for the
operation concerned, and rent or leasing of land and purchase, rent or leasing of
existing buildings;
(d) fines, financial penalties and expenses of litigation;
(e) operating costs except where otherwise provided for under framework agreements
with international organizations;
(f) second hand equipment;
(g) bank charges, costs of guarantees and similar charges;
(h) conversion costs, charges and exchange losses associated with any of the
component specific euro accounts, as well as other purely financial expenses;
(i) contributions in kind;
(j) interest on debt.
•
•
•
•
Any expenditure paid before or after the eligible period of the operation, as defined in
the subsidy contract;
Expenditure for activities implemented outside the programme area unless they are
necessary for the project and approved by the JTS/MA or JMC;
Expenditure not directly associated with the LB or its partners (except the small project
fund);
Expenditure invoiced further to third parties and thus not born by the LB or its partners;
Indicative list of project ineligible costs is:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
items such as gifts (flowers, greeting cards);
subcontracts in which payment is defined as a percentage of the total cost of the
operation unless such payment is justified with reference to the actual value of the work
or services provided;
expenditure on housing;
tax on purchase of real estate;
purchase of artist works;
personnel salaries (including civil servants) financed from the national/regional or
municipal budgets for the implementation of regular activities (usual day-to-day
management tasks and statutory responsibilities of an employee);
special awards and bonuses to employees;
for the products which are considered as author works, the LP or its PP can not claim for
reimbursement deriving from copyrights;
unpaid partial amounts of invoices (e.g. compensation for damages, guarantee
payments, cash discounts, rebates, etc);
commissions and dividends, profit payment;
purchase of business share and stock exchange shares;
fines, financial penalties and expenditure on legal disputes;
currency exchange commissions and losses in currency exchange rates;
charges for financial transactions within one country (national);
guarantee costs with the exception of guarantees from banks or other financial
institutions in the amount demanded under the national or Community legislation;
membership fees and meeting honoraria;
22
•
•
•
•
tax counselling;
sponsorships;
individual scholarships or expenditure for formal studies or vocational education;
financial awards.
5. ANNEXES
Annex 1: Monthly report
Annex 2: Time-record
23
5.1 MONTHLY REPORT
Mesečna časovnica projektnega sodelavca-ke / Mjesečni vremenski plan projektnog
suradnika-ce
Akronim operacije / Akronim operacije:
Naziv organizacije (vodilni partner / projektni partner) / Naziv organizacije (vodeći partner /
projektni partner):
Ime in priimek sodelavca-ke ter vloga v projektu / Ime i prezime suradnika-ce i i uloga u
projektu:
Mesec/
Mjesec:
Leto/
Godina:
Jedrnato opišite aktivnosti v okviru operacije za navedeni mesec (po kronološkem zaporedju)./
Sažeto opišite aktivnosti u okviru operacije za navedeni mjecec (po kronološkom redosljedu):
Opis dejavnosti / Opis Aktivnosti
24
Izdatki za celotno delo (projektno
in neprojektno) v obdobju / Izdaci
za cjelokupan rad (na projektu i
van projekta) u razdoblju
Prepišite podatke iz mesečnega
plačilnega lista/
Prepišite podatke iz mjesečne platne
liste
Številka dokumenta /
Broj dokumenta
Izjava in podpis odgovorne osebe/
Izjava i potpis odgovorne osobe
Izjavljam, da podatki v časovnici odražajo
resnično in pravilno količino
opravljenega projektnega dela v mesecu./
Izjavljujem da podaci u vremenskom
planu odražavaju stvarnu i pravilnu
količinu.
Leto/Godina
Mesec/Mjesec
Datum plačila/
Datum plačanja
Bruto plačilo
(BTO1)//Isplačeno
bruto
Prispevki in davki
delojemalca/Doprinosi
i davanja posloprimca
Prispevki in davki
delodajalca/
Doprinosi i davanja
poslodavca
Izjavljam tudi, da podatki o izdatkih za
celotno mesečno delo odražajo resnično
in pravilno višino vseh izdatkov za delo
osebe, zaposlene pri prijavitelju izdatkov./
Također izjavljujem da podaci o izdacima
za cjelokupan mjesečan rad odražavaju
stvarnu i pravilnu visinu svih izdataka za
rad osobe zaposlene kod prijavitelja
izdataka.
Ime, priimek in funkcija odgovorne osebe /
Ime, prezime i funkcija odgovorne osobe
Povračilo prevoza/
Dodatak za prijevoz
Povračilo malice/
Dodatak za topli
obrok
Drugo* / Drugo*
Podpis odgovorne osebe in žig
organizacije / Potpis odgovorne osobe i
pečat organizacije
25
* Drugi stroški dela, ki so v skladu z nacionalno
zakonodajo in pogodbo o zaposlitvi. Obvezno
ločeno navedite vrsto stroška./Drugi troškovi rada
koji su u skladu s nacionalnim zakonodavstvom i
ugovorom o zaposlenju. Obavezno navedite vrste
troškova odvojeno.
Datum/Datum:
Obrazec je oblikovno in vsebinsko zavezujoč za vodilne oziroma projektne partnerje iz Slovenije.
Za partnerje iz Hrvaške služi kot možen vzorec. / Obrazac je oblikovno i sadržajno obvezujuć za
vodeće odnosno projektne partnere iz Slovenije. Za partnere iz Hrvatske služi kao mogući
uzorak.
26
5.2 TIME RECORD
Dnevna časovnica projektnega sodelavca-ke / Dnevni vremenski plan projektnog suradnika-ce
Akronim operacije / Akronim operacije:
Naziv organizacije (vodilni partner / projektni partner) / Naziv organizacije (vodeći partner / projektni partner):
Ime in priimek sodelavca-ke ter vloga v projektu / Ime i prezime suradnika-ce i uloga u projektu:
Mesec/Mjesec:
Leto/Godina:
Vpišite dneve (datume), jedrnato opišite aktivnosti in opravljene ure namenjene delu v okviru operacije po posameznih dnevih./
Upišite dane (datume), sažeto opišite aktivnosti i odrađene radne sate u okviru operacije po pojedinim danima:
Datum /
Datum
Dan / Dan
Opis aktivnosti / Opis Aktivnosti
Število ur/
Broj sati
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
27
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Skupno mesečno število projektnih ur / Ukupan broj sati na projektu u mjesecu:
0
Upravičeni mesečni izdatki za delo / Prihvatljivi mjesečni izdaci za rad:
Skupno mesečno
število projektnih ur /
Ukupno broj sati na
projektu u mjesecu:
Urna postavka/Prosječni izdaci
na sat
0
X
Izdatki za celotno delo (projektno in
neprojektno) v obdobju / Izdaci za cjelokupan
rad (na projektu i van projekta) u razdoblju
Prepišite podatke iz mesečnega plačilnega lista/
Prepišite podatke iz mjesečne platne liste
Številka dokumenta /
Broj dokumenta
0
Upravičeni izdatki
za delo /
Prihvatljivi izdaci
za rad
=
0
Izjava in podpis odgovorne osebe/
Izjava i potpis odgovorne osobe
Izjavljam, da podatki v časovnici odražajo
resnično in pravilno količino opravljenega
projektnega dela v mesecu./ Izjavljujem da
podaci u vremenskom planu odražavaju stvarnu
i pravilnu količinu
Leto/Godina
Mesec/Mjesec
Datum plačila/
Datum plačanja
Bruto plačilo (BTO1)//Isplačeno
bruto
Prispevki in davki
delojemalca/Doprinosi i davanja
posloprimca
Prispevki in davki delodajalca/
Doprinosi i davanja poslodavca
Izjavljam tudi, da podatki o izdatkih za celotno
mesečno delo odražajo resnično in pravilno
višino vseh izdatkov za delo osebe, zaposlene
pri prijavitelju izdatkov./ Također izjavljujem da
podaci o izdacima za cjelokupan mjesečan rad
odražavaju stvarnu i pravilnu visinu svih
izdataka za rad osobe zaposlene kod prijavitelja
izdataka
Ime, priimek in funkcija odgovorne osebe /
Ime, prezime i funkcija odgovorne osobe
28
Povračilo prevoza/ Dodatak za
prijevoz
Povračilo malice/
Dodatak za topli obrok
Drugo* / Drugo*
Podpis odgovorne osebe in žig organizacije /
Potpis odgovorne osobe i pečat organizacije
Skupaj/Ukupno
0
Opravljene ure/
Odrađeni sati
Urna postavka/
Prosječni izdaci na sat
#DEL/0!
* Drugi stroški dela, ki so v skladu z nacionalno zakonodajo in
pogodbo o zaposlitvi. Obvezno ločeno navedite vrsto stroška./Drugi
troškovi rada koji su u skladu s nacionalnim zakonodavstvom i
ugovorom o zaposlenju. Obavezno navedite vrste troškova odvojeno.
Datum/Datum:
Obrazec je oblikovno in vsebinsko zavezujoč za vodilne oziroma projektne partnerje iz Slovenije. Za partnerje iz Hrvaške
služi kot možen vzorec. / Obrazac je oblikovno i sadržajno obvezujuć za vodeće odnosno projektne partnere iz Slovenije.
Za partnere iz Hrvatske služi kao mogući uzorak.
29